JP5782919B2 - Semiconductor device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a semiconductor device on which a plurality of semiconductor chips are mounted.

  For example, by mounting a high-voltage semiconductor chip driven by a high power supply voltage and a low-voltage semiconductor chip driven by a low power supply voltage on a single substrate, the number of parts can be reduced and space can be saved. it can. At this time, it is considered effective to use an optical device or a transformer for signal transmission for insulation separation between the semiconductor chips. For example, a method of increasing the signal transmission speed and extending the service life by using a transformer has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-34122 A

  However, sufficient studies have not been made on techniques using a transformer for signal transmission. An object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device in which a transformer is used for signal transmission and insulation isolation between semiconductor chips is improved.

According to one aspect of the present invention, (a) a base, (b) first and second semiconductor chips mounted on the base, and (c) a first and second semiconductor chip mounted on the base. A third semiconductor chip for outputting a control signal for controlling the operation; and (d) a first semiconductor chip mounted on the base, the reception side terminal connected to the third semiconductor chip, and the transmission side terminal connected to the first semiconductor chip. A first transmission transformer, and (e) a first transmission transformer mounted on the base, having a reception-side terminal connected to the third semiconductor chip and a transmission-side terminal connected to the second semiconductor chip . The transmission transformer and the second transmission transformer are respectively disposed on two opposing main surfaces of the core material, and are formed by two conductive thin film patterns whose ends are connected to each other through the core material. A first inductor and a second inductor respectively configured. And inductor, a substrate transformer and a first inductor and the insulator layer disposed between the second inductor via the first transmission transformer and the second transmission transformer respectively, the third semiconductor chip A semiconductor device in which a control signal is transmitted to the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a semiconductor device in which a transformer is used for signal transmission and insulation isolation between semiconductor chips is improved.

It is a typical top view showing an example of structure of a semiconductor device concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a typical top view showing an example of structure of an inductor which constitutes a transformer used for a semiconductor device concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is typical sectional drawing which shows the structural example of the transformer used for the semiconductor device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a typical top view which shows the other structural example of the semiconductor device which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the relationship between the thickness and the planar dimensions, the ratio of the lengths of the respective parts, and the like are different from the actual ones. Therefore, specific dimensions should be determined in consideration of the following description. Moreover, it is a matter of course that portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios are included between the drawings.

  The following embodiments exemplify apparatuses and methods for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the technical idea of the present invention includes the shape, structure, arrangement, etc. of components. It is not specified to the following. The embodiment of the present invention can be variously modified within the scope of the claims.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the semiconductor device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a first semiconductor chip 11, a second semiconductor chip 12, a third semiconductor chip 13, and a first transmission mounted on a base 10. A transformer 411 and a second transmission transformer 421 are provided. In the first transmission transformer 411, the reception-side terminal T <b> 1 is connected to the third semiconductor chip 13, and the transmission-side terminal T <b> 2 is connected to the first semiconductor chip 11. The second transmission transformer 421 has a reception-side terminal T1 connected to the third semiconductor chip 13 and a transmission-side terminal T2 connected to the second semiconductor chip 12. Here, in each transformer, a terminal through which a signal propagating through the transformer is input from the outside is referred to as a “receiving terminal”, and a terminal from which a signal is output to the outside is referred to as a “transmitting terminal” (the same applies hereinafter).

  The third semiconductor chip 13 is formed with a control circuit (not shown) that outputs control signals SC1 and SC2 for controlling the operations of the first semiconductor chip 11 and the second semiconductor chip 12, respectively. A control signal SC1 for controlling the operation of the first semiconductor chip 11 is transmitted from the third semiconductor chip 13 to the first semiconductor chip 11 via the first transmission transformer 411. Further, the control signal SC2 for controlling the operation of the second semiconductor chip 12 is transmitted from the third semiconductor chip 13 to the second semiconductor chip 12 via the second transmission transformer 421.

  The semiconductor device 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a first receiving transformer 412 having a receiving terminal T1 connected to the first semiconductor chip 11 and a transmitting terminal T2 connected to the third semiconductor chip 13, and a receiving terminal. A second receiving transformer 422 is further provided with T1 connected to the second semiconductor chip 12 and a transmission-side terminal T2 connected to the third semiconductor chip 13. A return signal SR1 from the first semiconductor chip 11 corresponding to the control signal SC1 is transmitted to the third semiconductor chip 13 via the first receiving transformer 412. Further, the return signal SR2 from the second semiconductor chip 12 corresponding to the control signal SC2 is transmitted to the third semiconductor chip 13 through the second reception transformer 422. Details of the return signal SR1 and the return signal SR2 will be described later.

  The first reception transformer 412 is disposed adjacent to the first transmission transformer 411, and the second reception transformer 422 is disposed adjacent to the second transmission transformer 421. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first transmission transformer 411 and the first reception transformer 412 are formed on the first transformer substrate 410, and the second transmission transformer 421 and the second reception transformer 422 are the second The transformer substrate 420 is formed. However, the first transmission transformer 411 and the first reception transformer 412 may be formed on different substrates, respectively, and the second transmission transformer 421 and the second reception transformer 422 may be formed on different substrates. In consideration of manufacturing process efficiency and space saving, the first transmission transformer 411 and the first reception transformer 412 are formed on a single substrate, and the second transmission transformer 421 and the second reception transformer 422 are formed. It is preferable to form on a single substrate.

  Although the structural examples of the first transformer substrate 410 and the second transformer substrate 420 will be described later, a printed circuit board having a structure in which a conductive thin film pattern and an insulating layer are stacked can be employed. For example, the first transmission transformer 411, the first reception transformer 412, the second transmission transformer 421, and the second reception transformer 422 are pulse transformers through which a pulse signal can propagate.

  Therefore, in the semiconductor device 1, the channel through which the control signal SC <b> 1 propagates from the third semiconductor chip 13 to the first semiconductor chip 11 has an insulating structure using the first transmission transformer 411. The channel through which the return sign SR1 propagates from the first semiconductor chip 11 to the third semiconductor chip 13 has an insulating structure using the first receiving transformer 412. Similarly, the channel through which the control signal SC2 propagates from the third semiconductor chip 13 to the second semiconductor chip 12 has an insulating structure using the second transmission transformer 421, and the return number SR2 is the second semiconductor chip 12. The channel propagating from the first to the third semiconductor chip 13 has an insulating structure using the second receiving transformer 422.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a first transformer substrate 410 on which a first transmission transformer 411 and a first reception transformer 412 are formed, and a second transmission transformer 421 and a second reception transformer 422 on which a first transformer is formed. The second transformer substrate 420 is disposed on the base 10 so as to face the third semiconductor chip 13.

  Therefore, in the semiconductor device 1, electromagnetic noise generated in the first semiconductor chip 11 or the second semiconductor chip 12 is separated between the first semiconductor chip 11 and the second semiconductor chip 12. That is, the first semiconductor chip 11 and the second semiconductor chip 12 do not interfere with each other.

  The first transmission transformer 411 and the first reception transformer 412 are arranged adjacent to each other, and the second transmission transformer 421 and the second reception transformer 422 are arranged adjacent to each other. small.

  In the first semiconductor chip 11 and the second semiconductor chip 12, for example, drive circuits (not shown) for driving the external elements 31 and 32 are formed, respectively. Then, the drive signal SD 1 for driving the external element 31 is output from the semiconductor device 1 to the external element 31, and the drive signal SD 2 for driving the external element 32 is output to the external element 32. The external elements 31 and 32 are, for example, insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBT). At this time, the driving capabilities of the first semiconductor chip 11 and the second semiconductor chip may be the same or different. The first semiconductor chip 11, the second semiconductor chip 12, and the third semiconductor chip 13 are provided with individual power supply circuits (not shown) that supply power to the respective semiconductor chips. The specifications of each power supply circuit are set according to the driving capability required for each of the chip 11 and the second semiconductor chip 12.

  For example, in order to realize an output current of about 10 A, the driving capability of the first semiconductor chip 11 is set high, and one IGBT having a large maximum rating is prepared as the external element 31 that is driven by the first semiconductor chip 11. . Thereby, high-speed on / off operation of the external element 31 is possible.

  The semiconductor device 1 can be used as a part of an in-vehicle electronic circuit system of a hybrid vehicle, for example. Specifically, the first semiconductor chip 11 is used as a driving device for driving a high voltage system circuit of a hybrid vehicle, and the second semiconductor chip 12 is used as a driving device for driving a low voltage system circuit of a hybrid vehicle. . Here, the low voltage system circuit is a circuit that is powered by a 12V system or 24V system battery, such as an in-vehicle electronic circuit, lights such as a headlight and a winker, and an ignition device for an internal combustion engine such as a gasoline engine or a diesel engine. It is. The high voltage system circuit is a circuit that drives an electric motor. In order to drive the electric motor, for example, the output of the 200V battery is boosted to a high voltage of 500V to 900V.

  The control signals SC1 and SC2 for controlling the operations of the first semiconductor chip 11 and the second semiconductor chip 12 are, for example, the third semiconductor chip 13 according to the content of the control signal SC transmitted from the microprocessor 2. Is distributed to either the first semiconductor chip 11 or the second semiconductor chip 12. As already described, the third semiconductor chip 13 receives the return signal SR1 from the first semiconductor chip 11 via the first receiving transformer 412 and returns the return signal from the second semiconductor chip 12. SR2 is received via the second receiving transformer 422.

  The return signal SR1 is generated such that the value is determined according to the operation of the first semiconductor chip 11 that has received the control signal SC1. The third semiconductor chip 13 refers to the control signal SC1 and the return signal SR1 to determine whether or not the first semiconductor chip 11 is operating normally. For example, if the first semiconductor chip 11 is operating normally, the return signal SR1 is generated as an inverted signal of the control signal SC1, and the third semiconductor chip 13 performs negative exclusion of the control signal SC1 and the return signal SR1. A logical OR (XNOR) signal is generated. If the XNOR signal is “0”, it is determined that the first semiconductor chip 11 is operating normally, and if the XNOR signal is “1”, it is determined that the first semiconductor chip 11 is not operating normally. Is done.

  Similarly, the third semiconductor chip 13 refers to the control signal SC2 and the return signal SR2, and determines whether or not the second semiconductor chip 12 is operating normally.

  If it is determined that at least one of the first semiconductor chip 11 and the second semiconductor chip 12 is not operating normally, the third semiconductor chip 13 stops the operation of the semiconductor device 1, for example.

  As described above, by comparing the control signals SC1 and SC2 with the return signals SR1 and SR2, the semiconductor device 1 is equipped with an undervoltage lockout circuit, an abnormal load detection circuit, a soft shutdown circuit, etc. It can be a fail-safe design for handling.

  Next, structural examples of the first transmission transformer 411, the first reception transformer 412, the second transmission transformer 421, and the second reception transformer 422 will be described.

  For each of the above transformers, for example, a structure using a planar inductor formed by arranging a spiral conductive thin film pattern on a plane as shown in FIG. 2 can be adopted. In the example shown in FIG. 2, planar inductors La and Lb are respectively formed on the front surface 45 s and the back surface 45 r of the flat core material 45, and the end of the planar inductor La and the planar inductor are formed through the through-hole 45 h that penetrates the core material 45. One inductor L is formed by connecting the end of Lb. For the conductive thin film pattern material of the planar inductors La and Lb, for example, copper foil or the like can be used. Further, an epoxy material or the like can be used for the core material 45. In order to reduce the size of the semiconductor device 1, the size of the inductor L is preferably small. For example, the line and space (L / S) of the planar inductors La and Lb is 50 μm / 50 μm.

  By laminating two inductors L with an insulator layer in between, a substrate transformer that can be used as the first transmission transformer 411, the first reception transformer 412, the second transmission transformer 421, and the second reception transformer 422 is obtained. It is formed. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the substrate transformer 40 is formed in a region where the inductor L <b> 1 and the inductor L <b> 2 overlap with each other when viewed in plan through the insulator layer 401. The arrow shown in FIG. 3 is a magnetic field image of the substrate transformer 40.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the inductor L1 composed of the planar inductors L1a and L1b disposed on the front and back surfaces of the core material 451, and the inductor L2 composed of the planar inductors L2a and L2b disposed on both surfaces of the core material 452, respectively. Are stacked with the insulator layer 401 interposed therebetween to form a transformer substrate 400. In order to improve the degree of coupling, it is preferable that the centers of the inductor L1 and the inductor L2 do not overlap.

  For the insulator layer 401, for example, a prepreg such as an epoxy material can be employed. Note that, for example, solder resists 402 and 403 are disposed above and below the laminated body including the inductor L1, the insulator layer 401, and the inductor L2, and the transformer substrate 400 is formed. The thickness of the transformer substrate 400 is set so as to match the height of the first semiconductor chip 11, the second semiconductor chip 12, and the third semiconductor chip 13, for example. For example, the thickness of the transformer substrate 400 is set to about 400 μm. The film thickness of the insulator layer 401 between the inductor L1 and the inductor L2 is set to about 100 μm, for example.

  One end of the planar inductor L1a and one end of the planar inductor L1b are connected, and the other end of the planar inductor L1a is connected to a pad P1a disposed on the surface of the transformer substrate 400, and the other end of the planar inductor L1b. Is connected to a pad P1b disposed on the surface of the transformer substrate 400. Similarly, one end of the planar inductor L2a and one end of the planar inductor L2b are connected, and the other end of the planar inductor L2a is connected to a pad P2a disposed on the surface of the transformer substrate 400. The other end of L2b is connected to pad P2b disposed on the surface of transformer substrate 400.

  The planar inductors L1a, L1b, L2a, and L2b and the pads P1a, P1b, P2a, and P2b are electrically connected by a plug 405 in which a conductive material is embedded in a through hole that penetrates the transformer substrate 400, as shown in FIG. Connected to.

  For example, the pads P1a and P1b of the transformer substrate 400 are used as reception side terminals of the substrate transformer 40, and the pads P2a and P2b of the transformer substrate 400 are used as transmission side terminals of the substrate transformer 40. At this time, when the structure shown in FIG. 3 is adopted for the first transmission transformer 411, the output terminal of the third semiconductor chip 13 is connected to the pads P1a and P1b, and the first semiconductor chip is connected to the pads P2a and P2b. Eleven input terminals are connected. Thereby, the control signal SC <b> 1 of the pulse signal is transmitted from the third semiconductor chip 13 to the first semiconductor chip 11. Further, the output terminal of the first semiconductor chip 11 is connected to the pads P1a and P1b, and the input terminal of the third semiconductor chip 13 is connected to the pads P2a and P2b, so that the return signal SR1 of the pulse signal is the first. Is transmitted from the semiconductor chip 11 to the third semiconductor chip 13.

  Similarly, by connecting the output terminal of the third semiconductor chip 13 to the pads P1a and P1b and connecting the input terminal of the second semiconductor chip 12 to the pads P2a and P2b, the control signal SC2 is transmitted to the third semiconductor chip. 13 is transmitted to the second semiconductor chip 12. By connecting the output terminal of the second semiconductor chip 12 to the pads P1a and P1b, and connecting the input terminal of the third semiconductor chip 13 to the pads P2a and P2b, the return signal SR2 is sent from the second semiconductor chip 12 to the second one. 3 is transmitted to the semiconductor chip 13.

  As described above, the substrate transformer 40 used as the first transmission transformer 411 and the substrate transformer 40 used as the first reception transformer 412 are preferably formed on the first transformer substrate 410. The substrate transformer 40 used as the second transmission transformer 421 and the substrate transformer 40 used as the second reception transformer 422 are preferably formed on the second transformer substrate 420.

  The semiconductor device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is packaged by, for example, mold sealing. For example, a copper alloy frame or the like can be used for the base 10.

  As described above, according to the semiconductor device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the electromagnetic noise between the semiconductor chips is separated by using the transformer in the path through which the signal propagates. Further, since the first to third semiconductor chips 11, 12, 13 and the first and second transformer substrates 410, 420 are mounted on the base body 10, the package can be reduced in size. As a result, it is possible to provide the semiconductor device 1 in which the insulation separation between the semiconductor chips is improved and the size, the price, and the speed are increased. For example, it is possible to realize a semiconductor device that has a large output and suppresses interference between semiconductor chips due to electromagnetic noise.

  Unlike the embodiment of the present invention, when an optical device is used in the signal propagation path, the light receiving characteristic of the light receiving element is deteriorated due to the deterioration of the luminance of the light emitting element such as a light emitting diode, and the signal transmission response is lowered. . Further, when the optical device is placed in a high temperature environment, the luminance of the light emitting element is deteriorated and the light receiving characteristics of the light receiving element are rapidly deteriorated, and the service life is shortened.

  On the other hand, in the semiconductor device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, a transformer is used instead of an optical device in the signal propagation path, so that the signal transmission responsiveness does not deteriorate and the service life does not shorten. . For example, the semiconductor device 1 according to the embodiment is suitable for in-vehicle use in which the environmental temperature is high.

  When a copper alloy frame or the like is adopted for the base 10, the die pad that is a semiconductor chip mounting portion of the copper alloy frame is divided into three, and the first to third semiconductor chips 11, 12, and 13 are separated from each other. To be installed. Thus, the first to third semiconductor chips 11, 12, and 13 are electrically and electromagnetically insulated from each other. By increasing the distance between the die pad mounting the first semiconductor chip 11 and the die pad mounting the third semiconductor chip 13 and arranging the first transformer substrate 410 so as to straddle the expanded space, the copper alloy The thickness of the frame can be suppressed. Similarly, the distance between the die pad on which the second semiconductor chip 12 is mounted and the die pad on which the third semiconductor chip 13 is mounted is widened, and the second transformer substrate 420 is disposed so as to straddle the expanded space. The thickness of the alloy frame can be suppressed. As a result, the semiconductor device 1 can be downsized in the thickness direction of the package.

(Other embodiments)
As mentioned above, although this invention was described by embodiment, it should not be understood that the description and drawing which form a part of this indication limit this invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the first semiconductor chip 11 and the second semiconductor chip 12 are arranged so that the end face to which the control signal SC of the semiconductor device 1 is input and the end face to which the drive signals SD1 and SD2 are output face each other. However, as shown in FIG. 4, the drive signals SD1 and SD2 may be output from the left and right end faces as viewed from the end face to which the control signal SC is input.

  As described above, the present invention naturally includes various embodiments not described herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the invention specifying matters according to the scope of claims reasonable from the above description.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Semiconductor device 2 ... Microprocessor 10 ... Base | substrate 11 ... 1st semiconductor chip 12 ... 2nd semiconductor chip 13 ... 3rd semiconductor chip 31, 32 ... External element 40 ... Substrate transformer 45 ... Core material 400 ... Transformer substrate 401 ... Insulator layer 402, 403 ... Solder resist 405 ... Plug 410 ... First transformer substrate 411 ... First transmission transformer 412 ... First reception transformer 420 ... Second transformer substrate 421 ... Second transmission transformer 422 ... 2nd receiving transformer La, Lb ... Planar inductor P1a, P1b, P2a, P2b ... Pad

Claims (6)

A substrate;
First and second semiconductor chips mounted on the substrate;
A third semiconductor chip mounted on the substrate and outputting a control signal for controlling the operation of the first and second semiconductor chips;
A first transmission transformer mounted on the substrate, having a reception-side terminal connected to the third semiconductor chip and a transmission-side terminal connected to the first semiconductor chip;
A second transmission transformer mounted on the base body, a reception side terminal connected to the third semiconductor chip, and a transmission side terminal connected to the second semiconductor chip;
The first transmission transformer and the second transmission transformer are:
A first inductor and a second inductor respectively formed by two conductive thin film patterns respectively disposed on two opposing main surfaces of the core material and connected to each other through through portions penetrating the core material Inductors,
An insulator layer disposed between the first inductor and the second inductor;
A board transformer comprising:
The control signal is transmitted from the third semiconductor chip to the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip via the first transmission transformer and the second transmission transformer, respectively. Semiconductor device.   A first reception transformer disposed adjacent to the first transmission transformer, having a reception-side terminal connected to the first semiconductor chip and a transmission-side terminal connected to the third semiconductor chip; 2. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein a return signal corresponding to the control signal is transmitted from the first semiconductor chip to the third semiconductor chip via a first reception transformer.   3. The semiconductor device according to claim 2, wherein the first transmission transformer and the first reception transformer are formed on a single substrate mounted on the base.   A second receiving transformer disposed adjacent to the second transmission transformer, having a receiving terminal connected to the second semiconductor chip and a transmitting terminal connected to the third semiconductor chip; 4. The return signal corresponding to the control signal is transmitted from the second semiconductor chip to the third semiconductor chip via a second receiving transformer. 5. The semiconductor device according to item.   The semiconductor device according to claim 4, wherein the second transmission transformer and the second reception transformer are formed on a single substrate mounted on the base.   6. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the third semiconductor chip is disposed between the first transmission transformer and the second transmission transformer.

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